The Black Keys - Magic Potion

This could be the finest offering from the Black Keys; dripping with their signature dirty blues sound that seems to have evolved ever so slightly - the duo opt to throttle the pace on many tracks. The solid, catchy guitar licks and crashing drums hold each sparse number together, with the lyrics having that familiar rough edge. It's a raw record; imagine dragging the White Stripes through the mud, giving them copious amounts of whiskey then recording them using prehistoric equipment and you're getting close. Nothing's complicated and it's all ridiculously infectious, you can almost feel yourself nodding along in a smokey basement Jazz Club. With an album that doesn't take too many risks it's difficult to pick highlights, however the guitar hooks on opening track Just Got to Be and Give Your Heart Away are worthy of special mention. [Xavier Toby]